News release

Minister Recognizes Canadian History Students

Education (July 1999 - March 2013)

Students and staff at Auburn Drive High School in Dartmouth are getting a certificate of recognition for their participation in the new Grade 11 Canadian history pilot.

Education Minister Jane Purves will present the certificate this morning at an event to honour Remembrance Day through a collection of drama, songs and presentations to veterans of the Scotia Legion Branch 25.

The minister will award certificates of recognition to 13 other high schools across the province this fall.

"Canadian history is a part of all of us," said Ms. Purves. "It's imperative that students have the opportunity to learn about the contributions of their ancestors in the shaping of Canada."

The November unit of the new Canadian history course focuses on Canada at war and peace and explains how the war affected roles for women, minorities, children and government. As part of the unit, students are encouraged to contact veterans in their community to hear first-hand accounts of war-time experiences and listen to history unfold.

"It is important that young people learn about the history of Canada and what Canadians did to protect the freedom enjoyed by today's youth," said Mary Bishop, president, Scotia Branch Legion 25.

Three-quarters of teachers across Canada agree that "history courses should be specifically designed to fosters a student's sense of national identity," according to a recent report of the Dominion Institute. The new Canadian history 11 curriculum will enable students to learn about Canadian heritage, who they are and why their society espouses the values it does through its governments, its intuitions and its culture.

In June 2000, the Department of Education launched a curriculum development process aimed at making Canadian history mandatory for all Grade 11 students in the fall of 2002. The Canadian history courses will be shifted from Grade 12 to Grade 11 to avoid scheduling conflicts with other required courses such as global studies. Students will be able to meet the requirement by completing Acadian, African-Canadian, Mi'kmaq or gaelic studies.